Yosemite - Part Two

What a difference a blue sky makes...

While getting snowed-in in Yosemite was an experience we won't forget, getting back to the park has been top of our agenda this week. Yes, the snow (piles and piles of it) was beautiful, but it makes it hard to get around the park with two little ones when you're sinking to your knees in the fresh snow that continues to fall relentlessly.

So we went back. We had planned for it by the end of the week, but on a whim decided to also go for half day after visiting the Sugar Pine Steam Railroad. And I'm so glad we did. Tunnel View was stunning the first time. It was even more so the second time around - clear this time, against the backdrop of the bluest sky.

We made it into Wawona and had lunch at the Wawona Hotel, which is a little jewel nestled within the park itself, not far from Tunnel View. Once in Yosemite Valley, we stopped by the charming little chapel and crossed the road to the spectator bridge and a beautiful view of Half Dome on one side and Yosemite Falls on the other. Pictures, pictures, pictures. This is a photographer's paradise.

We parked the car in the Curry Village lot and got in line to wait for the shuttle, which the girls had been looking forward to. We hiked the Happy Isles trail up to the interpretive center, which unfortunately was closed. The trail was in the shade, the snow on the ground was still melting, and it was quite chilly. Still, the sky was blue. We went back to the shuttle stop on our way to Mirror Lake, chasing the afternoon light.

Mirror Lake was a bit more of a hike - very civilized on a paved road accessible by car only to handicapped. It wasn't very long, unless you are four and seven, and then it becomes more like hiking across the world to China. Still, the walk, and the whining, were well worth it. I imagine Mirror Lake will get more water as the snow continues to melt. The view was stunning, and the light was perfect. We spent a good amount of time taking in the views and taking pictures - properly this time.

We returned to Curry Village and tabled the rest of the planned hikes to the end of this week, especially since the girls were tired at this point. On the way back, we stopped again by the side of the road after being struck by a breathtaking view of Half Dome ablaze in the golden light of the setting sun.

Still chasing the light, we managed to get some more pictures in the Valley, and while taking pictures run into two deer grazing in the meadow. We were only feet away from them, and while they did look at us inquisitively, we seem to have found the perfect distance that afforded us the view and allowed them to graze without truly feeling threatened.

Larissa is keeping count at this point - one coyote, one bear, two blue jays and eighteen deer.

We left the park as nighttime came. We were happy, if a bit tired. The girls? Fast asleep.